Ready to fly

Maciu Malo
Wednesday, September 03, 2014

NEW find Vodafone Fiji 7s player Eremasi Radrodro is ready to fly the Fiji flag if given the opportunity at the 2014/2015 IRB Sevens World Series.

The tireless Nadroga loose forward has been in top form in the Skipper Cup competition and continued his mesmerising performance against Naitasiri in last week's HFC Bank Farebrother Sullivan trophy game where he won the best player award. Radrodro could provide the much needed aggressiveness and go-forward to combine with Pio Tuwai's flair and Semi Kunatani's pace in the Fiji 7s forwards.

The Batiki, Lomaiviti native, who has taken over the Nadroga No 8 from Flying Fijian flanker and New Zealand-based Nemani Nagusa, is surely the man to watch in the near future.

Radrodro has maternal link to Rararua Village, Nadroga, the home of Nagusa and former Fiji 7s rep Ulaiasi Lawavou.

"Firstly, I thank the Almighty God for giving me the strength and the talent to play rugby," said Radrodro.

"Without God I won't be here today and also without God we can't achieve anything. I am ready to give my best for Fiji if selected.

"I am honoured to be in the Fiji 7s team training squad at the same time to be in the Nadroga side for the Farebrother title defence campaign."

Radrodro was also part of the Daveta 7s team that won the World Club 7s championship title in Ireland last month.

National 7s mentor Ben Ryan said Radrodro reminded him of former Samoan man-mountain 7s international Alafoti Faosiliva.

"He's a big boy, he reminds me a bit like the bigger Fa'osiliva and England's Chris Cracknell who play in the world 7s series," he said.

"He's not going to win the fitness test but he's strong and he gets his go-forward.

"I think sometimes if you're not careful, you just keep picking players who are quick and athletic and you forget that you need a bit of go-forward, so hopefully he'll hang on there in fitness and show me what he can do when he gets his hands on the ball," Ryan added.